If you have neck or face pain or chronic headaches, it could be a sign that you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Fortunately, dedicated TMJ treatment is available at the Rad Orthodontics offices in College Park, Potomac, and Bethesda, Maryland. For relief from your discomfort, call the office nearest you or book a visit online today.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint. While you might think of the larger joints on your body when you think about joint health, these joints in your face are just as important as your knees or hips. That’s because the TMJ connects your jawbone to your skull, allowing you to chew, swallow, yawn, and talk. In other words, you use this joint regularly throughout the day and rely on it to perform a variety of important functions.
Performing these everyday functions can be a problem when you have a TMJ disorder.
What is TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder causes a problem in your joint that can lead to a number of uncomfortable, recurring symptoms, including:
- Jaw pain
- Frequent headaches
- Neck pain
- Facial pain
- Jaw muscle spasms
- A clicking or popping when you move your jaw
- Jaw constriction
- Bite misalignment
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to visit Rad Orthodontics. Their team of TMJ experts can diagnose your condition and personalize a treatment plan for you.
How is TMJ disorder diagnosed?
Not all face, neck, and jaw pain is caused by TMJ problems. To apply the best treatment possible, your Rad Orthodontics provider starts by confirming the presence of a TMJ disorder.
They begin this process by performing a physical exam, during which they ask you to move your jaw. By listening to it and watching how far you’re able to move your jaw, they can often tell if your TMJ has an issue.
They may also perform additional testing like an X-ray to get more clarity about what’s going on inside your jaw. At each step of the diagnosis process, your Rad Orthodontics provider lets you know what to expect so you can relax.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
It depends on what’s causing your TMJ disorder in the first place. Your Rad Orthodontics provider can counsel you on lifestyle changes you can make to relieve your discomfort, like improving your posture. They can also fit you with an oral appliance to help ease your pain. They customize your treatment based on the severity of your TMJ disorder and your preferences.
If you think you might be living with a TMJ disorder, don’t wait to get a diagnosis so you can start treatment. Schedule your TMJ disorder diagnosis appointment by calling the Rad Orthodontics office nearest you or booking it online today.